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MEDITATION LXXXVII.

ON PUTTING OUT A LIGHT.

Off the Coast of France, June 8, 1758.

THE place I dwell in being secluded from the solar ray, is obliged to a glimmering candle; and when that is extinguished, total darkness prevails at once. This puts me in mind of the more mournful situation of the natural man, the unrenewed soul, that stumbles in darkness, and walks in the midnight gloom. While the saints walk in the rays of the Sun of righteousness, and rejoice in the light of his countenance, poor sinners dwell in the region and shadow of death. Let them boast of the glimmering light of reason; it can no more direct them about the affairs of their souls, the interests of eternity, than we can survey the midnight stars by the light of a candle. But faith beholds spiritual things, and takes steady views of eternal excellencies. With what reluctance do we remember the wicked, who "caused their terror in the land of the living!" and how does their memory stink when dead, like the snuff of that extinguished candle! And as there is no light, no spiritual illumination in them, so at death they are driven from the light of life, the light of hope, and the light of the gospel, into the darkness of utter despair, and into the eternal storm and tempest of God's devouring wrath. And is this the last, but lamentable end of the wicked! while the righteous, on the other hand, like the morning-sun, concealed by the disking clouds of worldly meanness and contempt, shine more and more unto the perfect day, grow from grace to grace, till, fixed in the firmament of glory, they shine celestial suns. Let my light, then, be spiritual, my happiness that which is hereafter, and my glory that which shall be revealed.

MEDITATION LXXXVIII.

ON DIVIDING THE SPOIL.

IN all ages of the world, so great has the joy of men been on this occasion, that it has become proverbial, " as men rejoice that divide the spoil :" and no wonder. To come off in safety from the field of battle, while not only foes, but fellow-soldiers fell around them; and to come off victorious, and find themselves possessed of goods they never labored for, of riches they never expected, must swell their breast with transport and joy. And this joy of theirs in the severest manner reprimands me for not being filled with more joy in believing, for not thinking more of him who is more "glorious and excellent than the mountains of prey." Now, though the metropolis of this kingdom (the gleanings of whose villages create this cheerfulness) were robbed of all its wealth, and laid in one heap; and, to swell the wonderful pile, though all the stores of the silken Indies, the gold of Ophir, and the precious stones of every land, were added; yea, to make the collection perfect in its kind, though all that ever had a place in the museum of the philosopher, the cabinet of the curious, or the treasures of kings, were amassed together, till the heap rose into a hill, or swelled into a mountain, from which the slaves might gather crowns and sceptres, the poor treasure in abundance, and the naked shine in silks and cloth of gold; yet thou art infinitely more excellent than this mountain of prey, and that on a double account. 1. Nothing here is for the soul, all is for the body. 2. All these things must be torn from the possessor in the hour of death, and cannot

attend him to another world. But Christ satisfies all desires, replenishes the whole soul, makes happy in time, and happy to eternity, and is a portion every way commensurate to the unbounded wishes, and immortal nature of the soul. Why should the saints less rejoice than these men that divide the spoil, when in a little the King himself in person shall deal crowns and thrones, kingdoms and dominions, yea, the goodly heritage of the hosts of nations, to every saint above?

This spoil, if it enrich the conquerors, impoverishes the conquered, and perhaps has cost many of them their lives; but Christ may, in all his offices, relations, fulness, and glory, be the entire possession of every particular child of adoption, without diminution or injury to any of their happy fellow-heirs.

Some who engaged the enemy fell down slain, and are now where a whole world of these trifles, which afford survivors so much joy, would not be accounted worthy of a wish or a glance for ever.

Henceforth, let me rejoice at thy word as one that findeth great store of spoil, and esteem the word of thy mouth better than thousands of gold and silver. I shall never be robbed of the heavenly treasure, which scatters my fears, dispels my despondencies, enriches my eternity, and ravishes my whole soul.

MEDITATION LXXXIX.

A DAILY CATECHISM FOR SEAMEN.

March 25, 1758.

1. HOW do I like the company of the wicked, and the converse of ungodly men?

2. Is their swearing as disagreeable to me as when I came first aboard; or am I more reconciled to their blasphemous talk?

3. Is my abhorrence of sin the greater, the more I see of sin? as man's fears increase with the increase of his foes, so should my hatred of sin with the increase of my danger.

4. The more that I am beset with snares and sin, am I the more watchful against sins and snares?

5. Have I forgot to look into myself in the midst of this hurry and confusion? reflection is a duty which no situation can loose me from.

6. Does the reaction of sin reiterate my grief and abhorrence of it? or, like a lion's keeper, venture I to sport with the destroyer, from which at first I started?

7. Do I resist the first appearance of sin? for sin, as well as strife, is like the letting out of waters, which at first appears a litle spout, but as it passes along pushes on every side, till it spreads into an impetuous torrent, which nothing can resist, and therefore should be left off before it be meddled with.

8. Does the impiety of the company, or any other hindrance, prevent the performance of secret prayer, on reading the scriptures, as formerly?

9. Is the sabbath still strictly observed by me, by my keeping not only from bad actions, but idle words and vain thoughts?

10. Am I careful to purge myself from all the sins which I have heard through the day, by reflecting on their vileness, protesting against them in mine own breast, dipping by faith in the blood of sprinkling, and praying that wherein I have been guilty in a greater or less degree, I may be pardoned?

11. Am I studious to draw the more near to God, the more that all things would drive me from God? and to beg of him, that according to my days and demands for aid, so my strength from him may be?

12. Am I ready to drop a word against vice, or in favour of religion, without regarding ridicule, not knowing where a blessing may light; or that at least they may know that there has been, if not a prophet, yet a reprover among them?

MEDITATION XC.

A PROPER INSPECTION

Lying off the French Coast, June 8, 1758.

AT all times, men ought to examine their state, and fitness for going into another world; more especially when old age has overtaken us, or the pestilence is in our borders; or when called into the field of battle, or into the dangers of the roaring occan. Now, as we may be surprised at any time by some event, we should be prepared at all times for every event. And, as one of these situations is at present mine, it is my duty to propose some interesting questions, to try myself thereby.

1. Am I content with salvation from Christ on any terms, that he be my complete Saviour, and that I be nothing at all?

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